Some ideas on how to switch off

How do you relax?

Last night at my monthly women’s group, The Purple Tent, we discussed how we relax. We agreed it is really important to make sure we find the time to relax. Our health and wellbeing is key and finding time to relax can set us up for the whole day, week, month. Even if it is 10 mins, try and find some time each day.

How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Sometimes my mind starts to whizz thought what I have to do for the day. My university emails me a 10 minute morning meditation. So I have started to do this every morning before I get out of bed. It is a great way to reset.

I went to a talk this week about using digital technology – help or hindrance? Anna Cox, Professor of Human-Computer interaction at University College London, told us about her research into surviving the digital age; a recipe for work-life balance and wellbeing. She has looked at how we get distracted by digital technology such as emails, Whatsapp, texts, etc constantly interrupting our day. Discussing this last night, some of the group have switched off their phone notifications. Do we need to instantly be buzzed each time someone sends us a message? Of course not – and it can be really stressful as some of us think we need to reply straight away, or we feel stressed until we have replied.

So last night I turned off all my notifications. Now on my phone there is no number attached to my emails, Whatsapp, messenger, etc. It feels great already. In my own time, I will check in to my messages and answer when I am ready.

Anna told us that it is now very difficult to keep work and home life separate as our phones are almost constantly with us and apps such as Whatsapp are used for home and work. So the line becomes very blurred. And do not even get me started on emails! I have many email folders where I file various emails. She said not to do that. Just have IN and DONE. If you want to find a particular email, just search for it. Having lots of folders just makes life complicated.

At The Purple Tent we discussed ways we can relax.

Of course we can use digital technology to help us relax. There are many relaxation apps, such as Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer. YouTube has many meditations. Breathing is very important to relax and reduce our heart rate – how about a breathing meditation?

I love going for a run or doing an exercise class. We had a long discussion about the benefits of yoga – many feeling that this has totally changed their lives.

I love sitting in front of the open fire. A fire can give very positive energy to a room.

And what about a mindful walk? No friends, no dog. You could pick a different sense you want to explore on your walk – sight, smell, hearing.

When did you last have a massage? Being touched is very stimulating to our body and after an hours massage, we can seriously relax. Try to book one in every two months or ideally every month.

Some of the group loves to be creative to help them relax. This included doing some art, knitting or sewing. We also discussed music – my most played playlist is called mellow, where I have added all my favourite relaxing songs. Reading can also help you relax, as long as it is the right book. I have found that I do not want to read any book that stresses me out as it can affect my whole day.

Some of the group also found cooking relaxing. And for some it was driving.

And at bedtime – it is so important to relax. What about getting into your PJs as soon as you come home? Light some candles, play some relaxing music, do a meditation to set you up for the evening. We all know the gadgets should be off an hour before bed. Instead, what about a relaxing bath? And if you have trouble getting to sleep, there are apps. One of our group likes listening to a soundbite of rain to help get them to sleep.

How we relax is very individual but what is important is to make the time and do it everyday. We should look after our wellbeing. You will feel better – for sure.

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